Snakes...

So...I've encountered my first outdoor adventure in Colorado. I had a lovely dinner with my friend Tina and her family last night. I actually ate dessert too! (For those of you who don't know, I usually don't eat sugar, but I usually don't pass up homemade desserts. :)) It was so nice to spend time with their family. They have 3 sweet kiddos who are highly entertaining.

After dinner, we all went for a walk in the park across the street from their home. This "park" is nothing like the parks in OK. There are lots of trails for hiking and biking and its in the foothills of the Rockies. It was gorgeous!!

As we were walking to the base of the trails, a photographer nearby warned us that there were RATTLESNAKES nearby!!!! We got a bit closer and there they were! Two of them. Just lying on the sides of the trails sunning themselves. They blend in so well with the vegetation that it took me a bit to see where they actually were. Scary huh?!? I'm sure that you all already know this about me, but I HATE snakes. I didn't freak out as much as I thought I would, mainly because I was with friends. I figured that if one attacked me, they would take care of me. Tina's husband, Cody, also saw a baby one along another trail. I had my fill of snakes by that point so I didn't look at it. He also said that in the 8 years that they've lived near that park, there were only a handful of days when he had seen rattlesnakes in the park, and he'd never seen 3 in one day. Lucky me! :) Needless to say...I'm rethinking my decision to take up hiking...at least for this time of the year when the "rattlers" are out. :) I have heard though that they don't actually attack humans. They warn you with their rattles and then if you don't leave them alone...you better watch out. I also learned that if one bites you...call 911...

I thought about posting a scary picture of a rattlesnake, but then decided against it. The truth is...I don't want to have to look at it...so why would you?? :)

Since we're on the subject of snakes, I thought I'd tell my favorite snake story...

This past year at the dance studio, I had finished my classes in the morning, and I was taking some trash to the back door. I had a large black trash sack in one hand and pushed the door to the alley open with the other. As I stepped forward to walk out, a BABY SNAKE fell from the SKY and almost landed on my HEAD!!! I freaked out and began screaming! (Wouldn't you??) I guess the snake was slithering along the top of the door when I opened it. YUCK!!! I really do not like snakes and the thought that that slimy, slithery, gross thing could have been in my hair was almost more than I could take. Seriously...what if that had happened??? I wouldn't have slept for weeks!! God knew that I couldn't handle it, so He let it fall in front of me. That way it would be a really funny story and I could still sleep at night. :)

My only animal encounter so far today has been with my friend's great dane named Bailey. She's hanging out with me at the house for a few hours while her mom and dad run some errands. She really makes me love big dogs! I think I'd like having her around all the time!

That's all for now! I'm hoping that my adventures with poisonous snakes are now finished! At least I'm hoping so...

Blessings!

One of those days...

Yesterday was a hard day...my bestie, Naphtali, left to go home to Texas. I did the big ugly cry a few times and its continued into today. I think I got spoiled having her here to get me settled and learn my way around town. My apartment is now super quiet too. So...I have White Collar on DVD on in the background. :)

Naphtali and I hadn't spent this much time together since we were in college and it was SO much fun! We unpacked boxes, set up my apartment (It's super cute!! Pics to come soon!), watched the Twilight series (I've avoided them until now, but they're pretty good.), went shopping in Denver (Naphtali bought me the cutest floral tank top.), and visited the sights in Colorado Springs. It was a great time!!!

Gotta love the Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods! 

We walked around the Broadmoor. So beautiful! It looks like Switzerland! 

I'm definitely going to stay there sometime!!!

This cute little deer was just walking around the Broadmoor.

We had a lovely dinner at a French bistro in Denver. Mindi and I found it when we were here in May. 

If you come visit me, I'll take you there! :)

I know that this new adventure will have its ups and downs, but I know that its worth all the work, tears, and difficult days. I went to a BBQ last night with some friends and it made me feel much better. My good friend Chris encouraged me to enjoy all the little things along my new journey and to let myself have as much time I need to adjust to my new adventure.

I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful friends in my life. You all know who you are! :) Thank you for all of your prayers, encouraging texts, messages, and phone calls. I love you all!

Blessings!

Well...here it goes...

I've never been much of a writer, but I wanted a way to keep track of all of my new adventures in life and share them with my friends and family. So here it is!!! My new blog! I'm sure that some of you are shocked that I'm doing this and to be honest, I am too. :)

My adventure began with packing up everything I own and stuffing it into a 14 foot U-Haul truck. I couldn't have done it by myself. Thanks to a bunch of friends, the process took only 2 hours...with a break for pizza. (Thanks Mom!) To my friends who helped...thank you SOOO much! You all are such blessings in my life!

After the truck was loaded, I had fun learning how to drive a semi. Well, it wasn't really a semi but it sure felt like one. A 14 foot truck pulling a full trailer with my car behind is as close as I'll ever get.

For my last night in town, Mindi, Amy, Naphtali and I went to a Hillsong United worship night at the BOK. It was a wonderful night of worship and the best way to end my time in Tulsa. For those of you who know my celebrity crush...I was also excited to see Joel Houston. He's still cute even though his hair is longer than mine.

On Saturday morning, more friends came to help with the last few details and brought Buckys (Starbucks) and Chick-fil-A for breakfast. The goal was to leave by 8am...we left around 9:30. Naphtali, Madame Blueberry (my hydrangea) and I left for the open road and new adventures in Colorado.

 More adventures to come soon...